Puppies are usually started on weaning at about 3–4 weeks of age and are typically fully weaned by around 7–8 weeks, with many finishing between 8–10 weeks depending on the litter and the mother.

Key ages and stages

  • Around 3–4 weeks: Puppies’ teeth come in, they begin walking and exploring, and this is the common time to start offering a soft “gruel” of puppy food mixed with warm water or milk replacer while they still nurse.
  • Around 4–5 weeks: Most litters are actively weaning; the mother often begins to move away more because nursing is uncomfortable, and puppies eat more of their mush at each session.
  • Around 7–8 weeks: For most puppies, weaning is complete; they are eating solid or softened puppy food on their own and no longer need their mother’s milk, though they still benefit from staying with mum and siblings for social learning.
  • Up to 10 weeks: Some puppies, especially smaller or slower‑developing ones, may take until about 9–10 weeks to be fully confident on solid food.

Why timing matters

  • Too early (before ~3 weeks): Their digestive system and teeth are not ready, so forcing weaning can cause poor weight gain, tummy upset, and stress for both mum and pups.
  • Too fast (weaning in just a few days): A very abrupt switch from milk to solid food can lead to diarrhoea, discomfort, and fussy eating, so a gradual transition over several weeks is safer.
  • Staying with mum vs. being weaned: Being “weaned” (off milk and on solid food) is not the same as being ready to leave the litter; behaviour experts and kennel clubs often recommend puppies stay with mum and siblings until at least about 8 weeks for healthy social development.

Simple practical guideline

  • Start offering soft puppy food: Around 3–4 weeks old.
  • Aim for fully weaned: By about 7–8 weeks old (sometimes up to 10 weeks), while still keeping puppies with their mother and littermates until at least about 8 weeks whenever possible.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.